The arrival of the Christmas season removes (albeit somewhat festively) the margin from our busy schedules. Without fail, the holidays force us to juggle Christmas parties, gifts, and family expectations without removing any of our normal responsibilities.
But the season also provides Christians with a helpful interruption that can be used to infuse new life into one’s quiet times or family devotions as believers rightly seek to connect this holiday season to the birth and ministry of the Lord Jesus. Below are three devotionals that will help both individuals and families facilitate the worship of the Jesus during this December.
Advent Devotionals
Recapturing the Glory of Christmas
R. Albert Mohler
In his 25-day devotional, Mohler tackles the essential doctrines of Christmas focusing on the incarnation of Jesus, the virgin birth, and salvation. Though Mohler makes use of his depth of theological knowledge, referencing reformers such as Martin Luther and theologians such as A.T. Robertson, his meditations still readily relate to the average, busy evangelical as Mohler winsomely tackles the stresses of materialism and integrates favorite songs such as “Joy to the World” into his chapters. Both individuals and families will benefit from including these 3-4 page devotionals into their spiritual rhythms this Christmas season.
A Wondrous Mystery: Daily Advent Devotions
Charles H. Spurgeon
This 30-day devotional seeks in the words of its editor and my former classmate at MBTS, Geoffrey Chang, “to help you grow a deeper understanding of the theology of Christmas and a greater love for the Savior (9).” Chang accomplishes this goal by pulling 4–5-page excerpts from Charles Spurgeon’s Christmas sermons on Matthew, Luke, and the prophets. Chang also pulls from Spurgeon’s sermons that deal with Christ humanity, divinity, and second coming. To make the sermons more accessible and beneficial to modern audiences, Chang has lightly edited the texts and inserted Scripture references into them. Individuals, couples, and families with older children will greatly benefit from reading this 131-page devotional.
Let Earth Receive Her King
Alistair Begg
Begg wrote this 25-day devotional hoping to cause his readers “to wonder at all that God has done, and worship the one who lay in the manger that first Christmas night (11).” Seeking to give his audience an appreciation for the first advent and an eager anticipation for the second advent, Begg begins his book at the beginning of Scripture, focusing on the Christmas themes found in Genesis. He then moves through the prophets, the gospel accounts of the Christmas story, the Christmas themes found in the epistles, and the hope of the second advent found in Revelation. Though a quick read, the 6-page devotions possess a spiritual richness and depth that reflect Begg’s 40 plus years in the pulpit. Though an excellent resource for all readers, this book (of the three mentioned in this post) will prove the most accessible for those with younger children as Begg ends each devotional with reflection questions and a hymn.
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